It Begins With an ITN: Protecting Angola's Women and Children Against Malaria

Apr 2009

Providing free long-lasting ITNs to women and children is a simple and effective way of protecting them against the mosquito bites that lead to malaria.

Beatriz and her baby, Surpresa, residents of the municipality of Cazenga in Luanda Province, are thriving and in good health. In fact, all of Beatriz' children are alive and well. Ever since the birth of her first child, Beatriz and her four daughters have slept under ITNs. Beatriz sleeps with Surpresa while her other daughters sleep under the same net in a different bed. None of the girls has had malaria because Beatriz knows the importance of making sure that her children sleep under their nets every night. Many children in Angola are not as fortunate. The death toll caused by malaria in Angola is alarming, but the good news is that the majority of these deaths can be averted. Providing free long-lasting ITNs to women and children is a simple and effective way of protecting them against the mosquito bites that lead to malaria. Thanks to the support of PMI and other partners, long-lasting ITNs are now being procured, distributed, and used all over Angola as part of an effort to integrate primary health services to reduce mortality and morbidity among women and children.